Hello Vital MTB Visitor,
We’re conducting a survey and would appreciate your input. Your answers will help Vital and the MTB industry better understand what riders like you want. Survey results will be used to recognize top brands. Make your voice heard!
Five lucky people will be selected at random to win a Vital MTB t-shirt.
Thanks in advance,
The Vital MTB Crew
I really hope this change works out for Eleonora, I know she wasn't stoked on Mondraker but still managed some decent results, hoping a better team vibe and better bike allow her to step it up.
Atomic Nukeproof has a nice ring to it...
(kidding)
Or Scott?
Same sentiments for Dave Trummer. I really feel that the move to Mondraker set his career back at a time when he was arguably reaching his prime. It's a good thing for Austria that Andreas Kolb hit his stride but it could've been great to see more than one Austrian battling it out for podium places.
Not that Neko knows everything about it, but he mentioned on the Vital podcast that he's not sure Gwin knows what Gwin is doing this year. I'm not sure when exactly that podcast went out, but that doesn't leave a lot of time to make a team deal happen (though he could as suggested do more of a privateer thing).
It's not that we don't get it, I think many don't want it to happen. It doesn't feel right, but maybe with a whole new crew and apparently a lot of money behind the brand he can progress.
I see it now "Smoky Mountain Speed Team"
Is Wei Tien Ho on Commencal for bikes yet or just skis? Perhaps he elevates to a factory rider...
You're certainly familiar with their ad campaigns.
They recorded that podcast no more than a week or two ago. Gwin's 'team' situation is definitely still coming together. Sounds like a program he's building around himself. But had to find Gwin money in this economy. Might be Gwin Factory Racing with VeeTires, Maxxis and Fox as his main sponsors, along with Yeti for frames and money.
On a related note, there is maybe a slight chance he lands a frame deal with Trek. He liked that high pivot frame and there is the American tie and TFR has budget free'd up from Vali and Cade's race team departures. This is more unlikely that the Yeti thing, but a possibility. Although as I say this... Trek is very protective of their brand, so not sure they would do a frame only deal for a high profile rider (and non 'Trek team') like Gwin though.
Gwin and Dak on Trek. Love it. Stamp it.
Dang, I am stoked for '24.
Intense certainly putting the M1 under a few more riders.
While Trek certainly has Gwin money, and I think people lost interest in the brand there for a bit with no American riders, I still can't help but think that Gwin put in the time to develop the M1 just to walk away from it.
Then again, if he isn't getting paid what he think he deserves, it doesn't matter how good the bike is or how comfortable he is with it. He's going to follow the money.
Does Mondraker have Gwin money? An all-American Mondraker team would be wild.
Gwinn and Dak on GT frames (Which will also be the hire bike at Windrock) and will be racing under the Windrock banner.
RIP Roidy?
He was battling with a lot of injury recovery during that time too but yes, selfishly I would love to see two Austrians at the top of the field this year so I hope the new team works out for him!
Heard he had a new rider?
New B practice episode has been recorded where Dak announces his new old sponsors
Also, Dak may or may not have gotten a haircut... (we'll see if Jason got the video to work this time, but no promises lol)
To be fair, Trummer was out after back surgery for most of the 23 season, Jacob was out with concussion until the last couple of rounds and got a top 20 in MSA, and Tuhoto had 6 top 25 results as well as King of Crankworx. It'll be interesting to see what the new bike brings and who the fastest Intense team is though.
From Kade's Instagram story, Brett Rheeder doesn't have the Cliff Bar helmet anymore.
cretin
"New old sponsors"???
DAK back to YT as part of the "New DH team" being announced in California in a few days?
That would be cool but would it be possible for YT to afford Jack Moir, Vali and Dak?
The Jawline looks strong. Dylan Maples?
Dylan to Commencal was leaked yesterday in this thread. Dharco and Thredbo bike park posted it.
jk
If Dak winds up on Mondraker, I have the same concerned sentiment of others about the bike not getting along with riders. But to be clear, BullDog was on a full proto & I assume the team will be on custom length frames but OEM geometry to start the season & they'll give them all varying rear linkages to try.
And for the reason BullDog didn't get along with the proto, I'm not fan of announcing Dak to their team if/when that hashes out. Would rather he land on a proven design. I can only assume that whoever he elects to run with, he'll place a lot of need on being based at a European test track or ten for the majority of his season. He's sounded like the thing that would make him happy is to just be at the top of a World Cup track from day 1 of testing and throughout season. Whatever team gets him there I assume he'll get the bike sorted on it.
Until then...I'll keep down tube trollin'. :
Possibly. Could be referring to Alpinestars (his previous kit sponsor at Devinci)...
I dont know anything about Dak, but Ryan has gotten his fastest times ever on the bike on runs he knows very well and can make good comparisons. Mondraker is keen to make the bike fast and and is making that a priority. So I think whomever is on the bike will do well.
Post a reply to: 2024 TEAM RUMORS